Help. So my XR I got cheap based on PO failing on valve adjustment causing me to change timing chain, tensioner and gears. Bike runs fine, but gets rattle after getting up to temp. Two thoughts are o-ring bleeding off pressure to head, or decompressor spring perhaps wrong. I did have to press this off and replace and spring seemed impotent. I'm fairly confident I got the valve adjust right and it is quiet at first. I didn't replace oring on side cover, but it seemed iffy. Any ideas?

The beauty of the external tank system is that the oil level is essentially unimportant as long as the tank doesn't run dry or overflow - the engine will maintain lubrication. However, the advantage to having more oil in the reserviour is that it is more able to dissipate heat to the environment. Overfilling the reserviour will not cause damage to the engine's moving parts the way it can when the oil is contained in the crankcase. With all that in mind, I usually run a bit "over-full". But using the procedure in the manual will allow checking the reserviour level when the reserviour is as full as it gets.

The level you see rising as the engine runs is not a result of "expanding" oil, it is the result of the excess oil in the crankcase being pumped up into the reserviour. The amount that oil (or water) expands during temperature rise in liquid phase is extremely small - certainly not large enough to be visible on the dipstick in the reserviour.

If the level of the tank is unimportant , then why are there markings on the dipstick? Is the oil in the crankcase or pumped out of it , make up your mind. So why the level rise in you car or anything else when hot. I guess all of those owners manuals are misprinted that say to check while hot or have hot & cold levels , water or oil.

If the level of the tank is unimportant , then why are there markings on the dipstick? Is the oil in the crankcase or pumped out of it , make up your mind. So why the level rise in you car or anything else when hot. I guess all of those owners manuals are misprinted that say to check while hot or have hot & cold levels , water or oil.

Different manuals say different things for different reasons. Really, you're posing a weak counter-argument by failing to cite specifics. Sometimes, it's 'cool' for water for safety reasons. My Aprilia SXV had specifics that required you to check immediately after running to get the level while the oil was fully dispersed through the system.

I always check mine a few minutes after shutdown and top off if needed. That way you're not freaking out when you see no oil on the stick(drained into crackcase over night) or adding oil that it doesn't need. You're also ready to go for the next ride instead of screwing with starting the engine, getting it up to temp, then checking.
As far as oil consumption, high speed interstate travel will make these bike use oil.

Mine consumes virtually no oil between changes... probably because it never sees the interstate. I can flog the crap out of it on a trail ride, come home, shut it off and throw it on the stand... take a few minutes getting my gear off... go back and check the level and it's right where it needs to be. Easy peasy (sorry for the plagiarism Steve)

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Let's ride!!! - No offense, but there've been a lot of people over time who were just as sure, yet got it wrong. - Una necedad, aunque la repitan millones de bocas, no deja de ser una necedad. - "you know that I could have me a million more friends and all I'd have to lose is my point of view" (Prine)

Paging Techforlife,mcma111, (or anyone else with Cycra Pro bends installed on their XRL),
I just picked up a set and was about to tear into it until I eyeballed the task at hand and it looks like there is over a 2" gap between the clamps on the bar and the Pro bends themselves, did you guys just flex the pro bends and connect them or did you end up getting extended clamps/making spacers ect...?

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2007 XR650L, Looking to acquire a stock XRL choke plunger.
The multi-quote function is your friend.
It's surprising how idiots have good luck, I don't have good luck.

... it looks like there is over a 2" gap between the clamps on the bar and the Pro bends themselves, did you guys just flex the pro bends and connect them or did you end up getting extended clamps/making spacers ect...?

I put a different brand handguard on my 250 (my xrl came to me with Acerbis) and I had a similar situation with it not meeting the clamp. FWIW, I oriented the clamps for best reach and bent the bars to fit my handlebar geometry. Let's see how those guys handled the Cycra.

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Let's ride!!! - No offense, but there've been a lot of people over time who were just as sure, yet got it wrong. - Una necedad, aunque la repitan millones de bocas, no deja de ser una necedad. - "you know that I could have me a million more friends and all I'd have to lose is my point of view" (Prine)

That link(internet, not suspension ) doesn't work for me. I've been thinking about taking the 04 back to stock height. I'll try ThumpnRed's E-bay recommondation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumpnRed

Mine consumes virtually no oil between changes... probably because it never sees the interstate. I can flog the crap out of it on a trail ride, come home, shut it off and throw it on the stand... take a few minutes getting my gear off... go back and check the level and it's right where it needs to be. Easy peasy (sorry for the plagiarism Steve)

How many miles you got on your engine? Let me say, I've only had mine on Interstate for maybe 60 miles at a time for a few times. It used a little each time. It also uses oil when I'm getting on it on back roads. From about 30,000 miles untill now, 40,000 miles, it has used a little oil between changes no matter what I'm type of road/terrain I'm on or how I'm riding it.
It's funny though...if I don't keep it topped off or a little over full, it will use more and more oil the lower and lower it gets on the stick.
I can change oil, run it 500 miles and it will not use a drop. I can take it out the next day, ride 100-200 miles and it will be halfway or more down on the stick. I'll top it back off and go another 300-500 miles and it will not use a drop. Next trip it will be down halfway.

Paging Techforlife,mcma111, (or anyone else with Cycra Pro bends installed on their XRL),
I just picked up a set and was about to tear into it until I eyeballed the task at hand and it looks like there is over a 2" gap between the clamps on the bar and the Pro bends themselves, did you guys just flex the pro bends and connect them or did you end up getting extended clamps/making spacers ect...?

Yes, they do take some persuading. Pictured is the end clamped in the vise. And when open the end of the throttle grip grind it out. DO NOT cut the end off as you will shorten the length of the tube/grip.